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In pictures: Benoit's career – Benoit Assou-Ekotto is an attack-minded left back playing for Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League.

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In pictures: Benoit's career7 photos

In pictures: Benoit's career – Born in France to a Cameroonian father and French mother, Assou-Ekotto opted to represent Cameroon in football.

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In pictures: Benoit's career7 photos

In pictures: Benoit's career – In the summer of 2006, the skilful left back left northern French club Lens to join Tottenham, in London.

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In pictures: Benoit's career7 photos

In pictures: Benoit's career – Assou-Ekotto made his first appearance for Cameroon's "Indomitable Lions" in February 2009 against Guinea. He also represented Cameroon at the 2010 World Cup.

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In pictures: Benoit's career7 photos

In pictures: Benoit's career – His first spell at Spurs was blighted by serious injuries but Assou-Ekotto eventually made his mark. He was voted the north London team's most improved player during the 2008/09 season.

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In pictures: Benoit's career7 photos

In pictures: Benoit's career – Assou-Ekotto dropped out of school at the age of 16 to focus on football. Today, he's started a foundation promoting the idea of teaching youth in a practical and interesting way.

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In pictures: Benoit's career7 photos

In pictures: Benoit's career – The BA32 foundation is aiming to encourage children across the world to learn more about mathematics, science and technology.

But Ghana didn't have to wait long for the breakthrough as Wakaso stroked home from the spot following Adam Tamboura's foul on Agyeman Badu.

Mali tried to force an equalizer after the break and Seydou Keita came close to connecting with Mahamane Traore's pass, but Ghana held out for the points.

Ethiopia's American boy 8 photos

Ethiopia's American boy8 photos

American boy – The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off in South Africa on Saturday. It is one of the world's most exciting tournaments including players who ply their trade in some of Europe's top leagues. Among them is Fuad Ibrahim, a young American striker who once played for the U.S Under-17 and Under-20 teams.

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Ethiopia's American boy8 photos

Second chance – Ibrahim, seen here lining up for Toronto in the MLS, has been chosen to play for the Ethiopia national team at the Africa Cup of Nations.

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Ethiopia's American boy8 photos

Talent unfulfilled – According to Thomas Rongen, who was then the coach of the U.S. Under-20 team, Ibrahim was one of the most talented young players to come through the national set up. But things did not work out and, after dropping down to the NASL with his hometown club the Minnesota Stars, Ibrahim was released at the end of last season.

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Ethiopia's American boy8 photos

Africa calling – Despite being a free agent Ibrahim was contacted by the Ethiopian Football Federation to see whether he would like to play for the country of his birth. After thinking about it, he agreed and joined the team's training camp in Addis Ababa.

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Ethiopia's American boy8 photos

Winning debut – As a newcomer, and someone who doesn't speak much of the language, Ibrahim had to win his squad mates over. His first start was against Tanzania, where he scored in a 2-1 victory.

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Ethiopia's American boy8 photos

Brazil bound? – Ethiopia's qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations is not the only football success that the country is enjoying. They have secured four points in their first two 2014 World Cup qualification matches, including a 1-1 draw against South Africa.

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Ethiopia's American boy8 photos

Feed the world – The image most people have of Ethiopia is of the devastating famine in the mid-1980s that killed millions of people. Ibrahim's family survived and left for the U.S. in the 1990s for a better life and more opportunities for their young son.

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Ethiopia's American boy8 photos

Young Americans – Ibrahim is not the first U.S. soccer star to move abroad. National teams across the world, including Palestine, Haiti and Afghanistan, have tapped into their American diasporas to bolster their squads. Omar Jarun (pictured center, who was born in Kuwait to an American mother and Palestinian father, was raised in Georgia but now plays for the Palestinian national soccer team.